Elara POV
"Come in," I called, expecting a servant to work in.
Instead, Elena walked through the door.
I sat upright from the bed so fast I nearly fell off it, "What are you doing here?"
My sister looked perfect, as always. Her honey-blonde hair fell in glossy waves, her designer clothes fit like they'd been tailored specifically for her body.
"Hello to you too."
She closed the door behind her. "Nice room. Much better than that home we grew up in."
"I called you four hours ago. How are you already here?"
"I was already on my way. The Alpha's people contacted me two days ago and asked me to come discuss the contract situation."
He'd known about the mix-up for two days and hadn't said anything when his people picked me up this morning.
"So you knew they were coming for me, and you just let it happen."
"I didn't 'let' anything happen. You're the one who answered the door," Elena sat on the edge of a chair like she owned the place, "Besides, I needed time to prepare. First impressions matter."
"Prepare for what?"
"For meeting my future husband, obviously," she said, "The Alpha of Black Ridge Pack. Do you have any idea what kind of opportunity this is?"
The bond in my chest twisted violently
"You can't marry him."
"Actually, I can. I'm the firstborn. The contract is quite clear on that point. I understand you met him already. Tell me, what's he like?"
I wanted to tell her that Silas was mine, that the bond had claimed us both the moment we laid eyes on each other.
But the words stuck in my throat. The bond didn't matter, the contract did.
"He's cold," I said instead, " and arrogant."
"Perfect," Elena headed for the door, "That means he'll understand the value of a proper alliance."
She paused at the door and for just a moment, something like regret crossed her face. Then she was gone, leaving me alone with a mate bond that was slowly tearing me apart and the crushing realization that I was about to watch my sister marry the man fate had chosen for me.
I made it to the bathroom before I started screaming.
The bathroom tiles were cold against my knees.
One moment I was standing and the next I was on the floor with tears streaming down my face.
The mate bond felt like a living thing inside me. It was demanding me to go find him and claim him.
But the contract wouldn't allow it.
"Elara?" Darius's voice came through the door, "Dinner is in ten minutes. I can have something sent up if you'd prefer."
"I'll be down," I replied.
"I'll wait for you in the hallway."
Of course he would because apparently I couldn't be trusted to find my way through this maze of a house without an escort.
I changed quickly into the cleanest clothes I had which was a black dress.
The herbs in my pocket felt heavier than usual. I'd need to reapply them soon, but for now, the scent masking should hold.
Darius straightened when I came out of the room.
"You look lovely," he said.
"You're a terrible liar."
"I'm really not," He offered his arm, "Shall we?"
I ignored the gesture and started walking.
"Is Silas going to be there?"
"Yes."
"And Elena?"
"She's been invited as well," Darius said, "Elara, I know this situation is difficult, but..."
"But what? I should smile and play nice while I watch my sister seduce my mate?"
"The bond matters. My parents were fated mates and my father used to say that the bond was the Moon Goddess's way of choosing our other half. That she doesn't make mistakes."
"Then she made one with me and Silas."
We descended a grand staircase into a large dining hall. A massive table stretched the length of the room, wolves were already seated in various seates.
And at the head of the table, Silas sat like a king on his throne.
Our eyes met, and Elena swept in from a side door, and his attention shifted to her.
My sister had changed into a stunning emerald dress that showed her every curve.
"Ah, you must be Elara," An older woman with kind eyes approached me, "I'm Margaret, the head housekeeper. Come, dear, let me show you to your seat."
She guided me to a spot halfway down the table, far enough from Silas that I couldn't hear his conversations but close enough that I could watch him.
Darius took the seat beside me with a reassuring smile.
"The woman across from you is Dr. Reyna Solis, our pack physician," he said quietly, nodding toward a woman with silver hair, "Next to her is Marcus Thorne, head of security. And that's..."
"I can introduce myself, Darius," A man about Silas's age leaned across the table, extending his hand. " I am Kieran Voss, head of pack relations and you must be the infamous Elara Vance."
"Infamous?"
"Any woman who can make our Alpha look that unsettled is worthy of infamy," he said, "Tell me, is it true you're the younger sister?"
"Yes."
"Interesting." He sat back, studying me. "And how do you feel about your sister taking your place?"
"Kieran," Darius warned.
"What? I'm just making conversation."
"It's fine," I said to Kieran, "I feel exactly how anyone would feel about being traded in for a better model."
"I like you. You've got spine," he said as he grinned.
A sharp clink of silverware silenced the room. Silas stood at the head of the table, and every eye turned to him.
"Before we begin, I'd like to introduce our guests," His voice was controlled, "Many of you have already met Elara Vance, daughter of the late Alpha Marcus Vance. She'll be staying with us temporarily while we resolve a contractual matter."
Temporarily. The word landed like a punch to my gut.
"And this," he gestured to Elena, "is Elena Vance, firstborn of the Vance family and my intended bride."
The bond screamed in protest. I dug my nails into my palms under the table, focusing on the pain to keep me from making a scene.
Elena's smile was radiant, "Thank you all for welcoming me into your home. I look forward to getting to know each of you and serving this pack as your Luna."
She hadn't even been officially accepted yet, and she was already claiming the title.
"Now," Silas sat back down, "let's eat."
Servers appeared with plates of food that smelled incredible, but I couldn't taste anything. Every bite turned to ash in my mouth as I watched Silas lean close to Elena, murmuring something that made her laugh.
"You need to eat," Darius said quietly beside me, "You're turning pale."
"I'm fine."
"You're really not," He pushed my water glass closer, "At least drink something."
"Tell me about the contract. What exactly does it say?"
Darius hesitated for a while, "That's not really in my place to tell you."
"Please. I need to understand what I'm dealing with."
